Voters turn to Ukip because the Tories are no longer conservative

The reasons why Tory voters are turning to Ukip

SIR – Your leading article does not mention the fundamental reason why many people like me, a former activist and Conservative voter in every election since 1979, will be voting Ukip for the first time in May’s European elections, and then in the general election. The Conservative Party, under the leadership of David Cameron, is no longer conservative.

It is now a party of uncontrolled, mass immigration into Britain. It is anti-family, believing as it does, in penalising those who wish, by choice, to stay at home and bring up their children. It believes in borrowing money at excessive levels in order to fund a deliberately ballooning overseas aid budget. It no longer advocates the effective security and defence of the realm as it continues to undermine the effectiveness of our Armed Forces. And it seems perfectly happy to build over our beautiful countryside, where once it represented a philosophical position that “conserved what is good”.

The party also refuses to tackle the disgraceful level of tax imposed upon those who save or invest as well as those who wish to pass on their assets to their children and grandchildren. And, on top of all these things, it no longer stands up for British interests in what has become an increasingly corrupt, undemocratic and self-serving European gravy train.

Link these things with Mr Cameron’s inexplicable defence of Maria Miller and his failure to expect higher standards from his ministers, and is it any wonder that people like me are deserting what was once their natural political home?

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SIR – I take exception to the Conservative Party slogan: “Vote Farage, get Miliband”. It is reminiscent of the slogan: “A liberal vote is a wasted vote”.

Most people who vote for either Ukip or the Liberals do so because they believe in their policies, and are voting from conviction and not for tactics.

The Conservative Party slogan should read: “Vote Conservative, get another five years of Coalition government”. This would mean no EU referendum, no reform of the European Court of Human Rights and no reform of parliamentary boundaries.

Ian Dodsworth Carnforth, Lancashire

SIR – Given that Mr Cameron has chosen to describe Ukip as dishonest, perhaps he will let us have a full list of his many promises, since coming to power, that have now been fulfilled.

Jack Brinded Eastcote, Ruislip

SIR – David Cameron asks: “Is there anyone you would trust less than a group of Ukip MEPs?” Yes. Any front-bench member of any political party.